Watching FST gave me a lot of pleasure over the years, and no doubt we'll be regailed with lots of cricket stories in the near future, but I'd like to tell you a little tale about the last time I saw Fred....
England v. South Africa, Headingley....
I'd taken my son with me, and after the match I'd wandered around to the rugby side of the stand, where he was hopeful of grabbing a few autographs of the players, Test Match Special commentators, etc....
We sat there patiently, occasionally spotting the celeb, and laddo would go bounding off it hot pursuit with his pen and autograph book.
All of a sudden, I spotted FST coming out of the tunnel, walking with Henry Blofeld and a couple of others.
Laddo shot off, book in hand, and (very nicely) scored with all signatures.
I heard Fred tell someone that he had to be off or he was going to be late for a function, and he started to head off across the rugby pitch, haeding for the VIP carpark area. From the side of the stand, a young lad in a wheelchair was being pushed by (I assume) some relative, and called out to FST. He stopped, turned around, and walked over to the lad, shaking his hand when he was introduced by his carer.
Bear in mind that he had been 'in a rush', he then spent a good 15 minutes chatting with the (obviously cricket mad) boy, and at one point even went down on his haunches to make it easier for the lad to hear him.
A true gent...
I wonder how many other 'stars' would've bothered?
So long, Fred - a hell of a bowler, and a true star in my book.

He was a Great man and a Great Yorkshireman, men like him are once in a lifetime, larger than life characters.

Bloody hell RiffRaff you stole my thread.
I have just been listening to the BBC's obituary on Freddy T.
He was a true Yorkshireman and a hero to many a kid.
One anecdote I recall was when England was touring India.
Some 'Gentleman' in the slips missed a catch off Freddy's bowling,Freddy was heard to remark"Thar wunt get to play fo Yorkshire missing em like that"
'Fiery Freddy' fondly remembered R.I.P.

Sorry, Sweetdexter!
Apparently ther's a 30 minute tribute to him after Look North one night this week too...I should bloody think so too.
Couldn't help notice that it's only for the Look North region - what's wrong with putting it out nationwide, for Christ's sake?!
Perhaps a bit too gruff for the southern nancys.
Perhaps we should remind the Beeb that apart from playing for Yorkshire, he did take part in the odd test and did take er....one or two wickets for England!

Watching FST gave me a lot of pleasure over the years, and no doubt we'll be regailed with lots of cricket stories in the near future, but I'd like to tell you a little tale about the last time I saw Fred....
England v. South Africa, Headingley....
I'd taken my son with me, and after the match I'd wandered around to the rugby side of the stand, where he was hopeful of grabbing a few autographs of the players, Test Match Special commentators, etc....
We sat there patiently, occasionally spotting the celeb, and laddo would go bounding off it hot pursuit with his pen and autograph book.
All of a sudden, I spotted FST coming out of the tunnel, walking with Henry Blofeld and a couple of others.
Laddo shot off, book in hand, and (very nicely) scored with all signatures.
I heard Fred tell someone that he had to be off or he was going to be late for a function, and he started to head off across the rugby pitch, haeding for the VIP carpark area. From the side of the stand, a young lad in a wheelchair was being pushed by (I assume) some relative, and called out to FST. He stopped, turned around, and walked over to the lad, shaking his hand when he was introduced by his carer.
Bear in mind that he had been 'in a rush', he then spent a good 15 minutes chatting with the (obviously cricket mad) boy, and at one point even went down on his haunches to make it easier for the lad to hear him.
A true gent...
I wonder how many other 'stars' would've bothered?
So long, Fred - a hell of a bowler, and a true star in my book.

Thanks for sharing that what a great story it shows his true character.

Has he died or something.
Reading this says he has, though I have not heard.
Great charactor, what happened, was it the big C, usually is.

I echo your sentiment Riffraff, and thanks for the memories Fred,having seen him play many times at Bramall Lane he has left me with an undying memory of him running down to bowl with his lovely smooth action and wonderful rythmn,his black hair flopping down and him sweeping it back as he waliked back to his mark,there is an old saying about such people, that when they had made them the mould was broken!how true of the great Fred Trueman,gone but never forgotten.I consider it a privilege to have seen such a great cricketer

Just a little extra funny about our Fred, that I was reminded about yesterday....

During one of his matches, he was pacing out his run-up, when the umpire asked the soon-to-be facing batsman where he'd like the sightscreen positioning.

The batsman (I forget who) apparently suggested between him and the bowler!

Great, great programme tonight on Fiery Fred - caps off to Harry Gration and the BBC North team.
Just enough humour, just enough sentiment....balance just right.
Contributions from Dickie, Blowers et al.
A good send-off to the man....
"I'll sith thee...."

Great, great programme tonight on Fiery Fred - caps off to Harry Gration and the BBC North team.
Just enough humour, just enough sentiment....balance just right.
Contributions from Dickie, Blowers et al.
A good send-off to the man....
"I'll sith thee...."
Totally agree, brilliant programme and what a great tribute to a great Yorkshireman.
To see a hard bitten cynic like Boycott shed a tear shows what high esteem he was held in. :thumbsup: